A Banana a Day Keeps Who Away?
The International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health. The results show that, over a long timeframe (13.4 years), women eating more than 2.5 servings of fruits and vegetable per day cut their risk of kidney cancer by 40%. Among the fruits, bananas were especially protective
Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.
Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.
But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Can Eating Bananas Fight Depression?
We're not saying that eating bananas can cure people with depression, this is an illness that should always be treated by a professional medical adviser.
But for everyday feelings of being 'down', try a banana. Recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
Bananas to the Rescue
Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
Even More Healing Power of the Banana
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system
Travel Mug Blender
Carrianne, one of my Gather friends, says,
"I knew that they (bananas) were good for you, but I didn't realize that they were this good! I bought a neat blender,,. where you can create your smoothie right in your travel cup instead in a huge blender.
I've been making smoothies every morning using 1 banana, 5-6 strawberries, couple scoops of plain yogurt (for nutritional value), a bit of Florida natural orange juice... and I've been feeling so great every day!
I didn't realize that bananas help you fight stress, I guess that is why I'm now in better moods every day,... I will have to continue this ritual and I encourage anyone else that loves smoothies but hate that mess in the blender... get what I just got... it's amazing! I just throw it into the travel cup, then unscrew the blade, screw on the bottom, then head off to work. No mess "
Banana Rcipes for Fun and Health
Banana and Fig Parfait
1 cup chopped figs (stems removed)
1 cup 1-inch banana slices
1 cup plain lowfat yogurt
3 cups crushed ice
1 tablespoon honey
Mint leaf or berry for garnish
Place all ingredients except garnish in a blender (not a food processor), and blend until smooth - approximately 2-3 minutes. Strain liquid and pour into tall, chilled glasses. Add garnish. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.
Nutritional information per serving: Calories 230; Protein 5g; Carbohydrate 50g, Fat 1g; Dietary fiber 7g, Sodium 50 mg; Calories from fat 5 percent.
Healthy Banana Cookies
Ingredients
* 3 ripe bananas
* 2 cups rolled oats
* 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
* 1/3 cup vegetable oil
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Stir in oats, dates, oil, and vanilla. Mix well, and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly brown.
These are very, very good and healthy! You can use chunky applesauce instead of the oil and spiced rum instead of vanilla.
And someone suggested adding about 1/3 cup honey and another 1/2 cup of oatmeal, and leave out the dates. They were SO easy and SO quick!!
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by marymc
As a novelist, author of essays, short stories, poems, min... (more)
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